I finally gave in and rented The Hangover 2 over the holidays. It was funnier and a lot raunchier than I expected, but all of the criticism I’ve heard about the movie rang true: it felt old and stale and it had the exact same plot as the first one. The last forty five minutes dragged, and there were more plot holes than I could be bothered to figure out. Despite low critic approval, the film cleaned up at the box office. It grossed $254 million domestically and over $327 million worldwide, to make over a half billion gross. The original Hangover did better domestically, but wasn’t as strong overseas. It grossed $467 million.

It’s been established that the Hangover is a strong franchise, and like every other franchise it’s going to be run into the ground until every drop of money is squeezed out of it. There’s a third movie in the works, and the stars are supposedly negotiating for $15 million each. That’s not upfront – that’s a percentage of the backend which they’re likely to get. They each made a reported $1 million for the first movie and $5 million for the second.

Dealmaking on the studio’s third installment in the raunchy comedy franchise is wrapping up after dragging on for months due in part to the salary demands of its three stars. Sources close to the negotiations say Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are asking for $15 million each (against backend) to reprise their roles, and they now are likely to get it.

That’s a big raise from 2009’s The Hangover, which was made for about $35 million and paid the headliners under $1 million each (Cooper made the most because he had the biggest name recognition at the time). When the R-rated bachelor-party comedy unexpectedly grossed $467 million worldwide, the studio found itself without talent deals for a sequel. Negotiations were heated for The Hangover Part II, released last May, with the three principals each scoring around $5 million, according to a source, plus back-end compensation that raised their haul into the mid-teens (and counting) when the movie grossed $581 million worldwide.

For the third film, the lead actors, all represented in negotiations by CAA (with agent Jason Heyman taking the lead) and are presenting a united front. (In fact, CAA also reps writer-director Todd Phillips and writer Craig Mazin.)

Warners hopes the next film, a Los Angeles-based story that will deviate from the forgotten-debauchery formula of the first movies, can shoot this summer and be ready for a Memorial Day 2013 release.

That would be great news for Warners, which is saying goodbye to two of its major franchises—Harry Potter, the final installment of which opened last July, and Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, which the director says will end with this July’s The Dark Knight Rises. In addition, two movies that were on the fast-track for high-profile releases in 2013— Akira and Arthur & Lancelot—have been put on hold as the studio tries to reconcile budgetary issues. All of which increases the urgency to put a third Hangover on the fast track.
“It’ll happen,” says one insider. “It’s a proven commodity, which is rare these days.”

[From The Hollywood Reporter via ONTD]

Well I guess if the movies are cleaning up that the stars should get a piece of that. It still sounds like an exorbitant amount of money. Doesn’t it seem like they marginalized Justin Bartha’s role in this film just for this purpose? Like they knew they couldn’t afford more than three big stars? Or maybe Bartha was absent for the first film, so he was absent for the second because they didn’t want to mess up the buddy dynamic between the three leads.

I really hope that they do mess with the formula this time and serve up something that’s slightly more fresh than the second one. We don’t need yet another lost weekend, but you kind of know that’s what you’re getting. You know what this means? Alan, Zach Galifianakis’ character, might get married next. He’s the only one left who is still single, and for good reason. They could try and switch it up and have someone get divorced or have the guys have to watch their kids alone for the weekend. No, they really shouldn’t involve any kids in this mess. That prop baby in the first movie was enough.

Do you get the feeling that Scarlett Johansson is just one of those girls who can never be without a boyfriend/husband or major crush? She can’t just BE. She’s can’t be alone, single and enjoying it for more than a week it feels like. I used to think she was just a maneater, taking whatever and whoever she wanted. Maybe she was at some point, but ever since Sean Penn dumped her, it feels like ScarJo has been flailing, physically, emotionally, and romantically. Sean moved on from ScarJo in a matter of minutes, boning randoms at the Cannes Film Festival, spending time with various actresses and models and generally looking and seeming completely over it. Scarlett seems determined to find another high-profile boyfriend, and it’s looking like she flunked out with Justin Timberlake. So now she’s turned her dong-seeking attentions to Justin Bartha, character actor and ex of Ashley Olsen.

Scarlett Johansson may not be single for long after her split with Sean Penn — the stunning actress has been spotted cozying up to “Hangover” star Justin Bartha. Johansson, who split with Penn a month ago, attended the opening of off-Broadway’s “All New People,” in which Bartha stars, on Saturday, and the pair were photographed together backstage.

Spies said Johansson and Bartha later seemed “completely engrossed in each other” during a cast dinner also attended by playwright Zach Braff and actress Heather Graham at Café Un Deux Trois.

One witness told us, “There were about 15 people at the table, but Scarlett and Justin sat next to each other and talked all night. They seemed pretty fascinated with each other and only talked to each other. It looked sometimes flirty, but also they seemed to be involved in a deep discussion.”

While some sources insist 26-year-old “Lost in Translation” star Johansson and Bartha, who turns 33 today, are just good friends — exactly what they previously said about ScarJo and Penn — she and Bartha were also reportedly seen “flirting up a storm” at Karaoke Boho here on Saturday.

She split with Penn, 50, after five months in June. Bartha ended a two-year relationship with Ashley Olsen in March.

Meanwhile, Scarlett’s ex-husband, Ryan Reynolds — recently linked to Charlize Theron — hung out with a brunette stunner at the Jimmy rooftop bar at the James Hotel in SoHo on Tuesday night.

The pair were with two other friends, but another witness told us, “I definitely got the vibe that Ryan had eyes for the brunette. All four hung out the entire time together, but there was definitely chemistry between the two them. Lots of laughing and all smiles.”

Reps for Johansson and Bartha didn’t get back to us. Reynolds’ rep had no comment.

[From Page Six]

I was going to declare this a downgrade, but I worried that I might offend the people who like Bartha. Bartha really doesn’t seem like a bad guy at all – from what I’ve seen, he’s a sweet guy, a little dorky, but charming and nice. He and Ashley kept their relationship very quiet, but there were no scandals around them and it’s not like he was screwing around or anything. BUT… he’s not exactly the kind of high-caliber, super-famous, A-list star that Scarlett tends to go for, right? In celebrity-land, she’s dating down. And it just feels like she’s flailing, once again.

Photos courtesy of WENN & Fame.

Sad news! Undercover couple Ashley Olsen and actor Justin Bartha (National Treasure, The Hangover) have broken up after two years together. Every so often, I would read the odd engagement report for these two in one of the tabloids, but for the most part, Ashley shied away from talking about the relationship. The only comment I could find was that she said she flies to LA every five weeks so she can see Justin… which could be one of the reasons they split, maybe? Long-distance, New York to LA, over two years.

Ashley Olsen is a single lady.

The actress-fashion designer, 24, and her Hangover star beau, Justin Bartha, 32, have parted ways, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

The private couple, who dated for more than two years, shot down engagement rumors shortly after they got together in 2008.

Reps had no comment.

[From People]

I always forget that Ashley and MK are still so friggin’ young. They’re only 24 years old! How crazy is that? They dress like they’re fifty-something and they’ve been famous since they were babies. Yeah… anyway, my thoughts on long-distance relationships: it takes a particular kind of couple to make it work, and when you’re young (24!) it’s even more difficult. Ashley will bounce back, though. As will Justin, who is rather cute, isn’t he? Bartha for HGF?

Photos courtesy of WENN & Fame.

Ashley Olsen is secretly planning her wedding to her boyfriend of seven months, actor Justin Bartha. Though it’s not clear if Bartha’s actually proposed to the pint-sized mogul, it appears that Ashley is moving forward with plans for quite the lavish, elegant, and surprisingly taco-centric wedding.

“Ashley has dreamed of having her wedding on the French Riviera, and she’s going to ask her favorite designer and friend, fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, to create a custom-designed gown to the tune of a quarter million dollars!” a pal told THE ENQUIRER.

“She wants to take her vows under a canopy of exotic white flowers as the sun sets behind her at the super-exclusive Hotel du Cap Eden Roc. The place is for the fabulously wealthy and accepts only cash – no credit cards.” The former “Full House” star will shell out $150,000 to charter a private jet to fly in family members and friends, and pay another $400,000 for three nights of deluxe accommodations for them, said the source.

Centerpieces from Moe’s Flowers in West Hollywood will be flown in to the tune of $100,000, and Ashley will fork over another $100,000 for a dinner of tacos, enchiladas and guacamole to be catered by the Mexican restaurant Dos Caminos of New York City, said the source.

“Ashley even wants some of her favorite candy, including Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Sour Patch Kids and Sour Worms to be scattered around the reception for guests to nibble on,” said the pal. “She also wants photographer Anne Leibovitz, who Mary-Kate has worked with, to capture the entire extravaganza on film.”

[From the National Enquirer, Nov. 10 2008 print ed.]

It all sounds elegant, but I found the Mexican food a little surprising. My first thought was maybe they’re golden tacos or something. The color could work. They just don’t seem to fit with the rest of the theme. The candy is cute and I’ve heard of other couples doing that as a fun way to add some sweets into the reception. But tacos at a wedding … that might be a first. It’s definitely more memorable than the traditional chicken or fish. If nothing else it strikes me as potentially messy. I have never seen anyone eat a taco with grace. Though I’d guess if anyone could do it in an understated fashion, I’d say Ashley Olsen is up to the task.

The Enquirer notes that Ashley’s friend says that even though they haven’t dated that long, “‘Ashley thinks she’s found love.’” I’d say it’s still a little early. Clearly she’s serious about the relationship and it’s nice that she’s so happy, but I wouldn’t be putting down a deposit on that taco cart quite yet.

Here’s Ashley Olsen outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre for the ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ in New York yesterday. Images thanks to WENN .